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CHARLOTTESVILLE — Forget "best player in the country. " On Saturday, Brett Hundley wasn't even the most productive quarterback on the field. But his defensive teammates provided three second-quarter touchdowns, and UCLA's Heisman Trophy candidate did enough in the second half to help the No. 7 Bruins escape Virginia's upset bid, 28-20. "That's how it should be," said senior linebacker Eric Kendricks, who scored one touchdown, forced a fumble that led to another and recorded a game-high 16 tackles.

Virginia extended UCLA deep into the fourth quarter two weeks ago with a defense that not only stuffed the run but also battered the quarterback. The Cavaliers will need to recreate that formula, and then some, if they're to upset Louisville on Saturday in their ACC opener. Like the Bruins, the No. 21 Cardinals (2-0, 1-0 ACC) arrive in Charlottesville nationally ranked and blessed with speed throughout the lineup. Indeed, if Louisville's 31-13 conquest of Miami on Labor Day is any indication, Bobby Petrino's team is faster and perhaps better equipped than UCLA to compete against a Virginia defense ignited on the edges by speed rushers Eli Harold and Max Valles, and anchored in the middle by linebacker Henry Coley.

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Football lifetimes have passed since Virginia and UCLA agreed to a two-game series that begins Saturday at Scott Stadium and concludes with next season's opener at the Rose Bowl. 'Twas February 2009, and rookie head coach Mike London had just guided Richmond to the Championship Subdivision national title. Jim Mora was succeeding Mike Holmgren as the Seattle Seahawks' big whistle, and Brett Hundley was a sophomore at Chandler High School in Arizona. Moreover, both programs were struggling.

By Norm Wood, nwood@dailypress.com and By Norm Wood, nwood@dailypress.com | September 4, 2014

Just getting on the field last weekend against UCLA wasn't surprising to Virginia true freshman wide receiver Doni Dowling. It's where he planned to be from the first day of preseason practices. As U.Va. (0-1) has dealt all week with the distractions of preparing for the quarterback-apocalypse in a game against Richmond that will feature four quarterbacks - U.Va.'s Greyson Lambert and Matt Johns and Richmond quarterbacks/U.Va. transfers Michael Strauss and Michael Rocco - who all have Cavalier connections, Dowling has gone about his business with the quiet confidence of simply knowing he can compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Marked progress but yet another quarterback quandary were the unmistakable takeaways from Virginia's season-opening loss to seventh-ranked UCLA on Saturday. The ACC's worst defense a year ago, the Cavaliers smothered the Bruins, limiting them to one offensive touchdown. They sacked acclaimed Brett Hundley five times and owned third and fourth downs, defending UCLA far better than did Virginia Tech in last season's Sun Bowl. But Henry Coley, Max Valles and company could not overcome three crippling turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble, that the Bruins returned for second-quarter touchdowns in their 28-20 escape.

Prior to coach Jim Mora's arrival last season, UCLA had grown accustomed to the view from the bottom half of the Pac 12, finishing with a losing record in four of five seasons before 2012. It hasn't taken Mora long to restore hope in Westwood. "I have a really good thing going," said Mora, who will lead No. 17 UCLA on Dec. 31 when it takes on Virginia Tech (8-4) in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. "The commitment that our administration has shown to football is resounding. I think it gives us a chance to be a national power, and that's what we're after.

EL PASO, TEXAS - Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer gained some mariachi moves and a cool sombrero to wear around Blacksburg, and UCLA coach Jim Mora got to schmooze with a guy he admires, but those weren't the aspirations upon arrival in El Paso. The business portion of the trip comes into play Tuesday when Tech plays No. 17 UCLA (9-3) in the Sun Bowl. Tech could finish in the top 25 and send quarterback Logan Thomas and six other seniors expected to start out on a high note with a victory, while a UCLA win would give it 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2005.

A champion's locker room is a special place. Months of hope, satisfaction, pain, anger, anticipation and tension culminate in a dream come true. And the subsequent release of emotion floods the place like a tidal wave. Monday night at the Kingdome, that special place belonged to UCLA as the Bruins celebrated their 89-78 victory against Arkansas in college basketball's national title game. George Zidek, the mountainous center from Czechoslovakia, wrapped his arms around Olga Schultz's waist and lifted her off the floor as Olga, her arms around Zidek's neck, held on for dear life.

Two words: Jason Williams. Duke's sophomore All-America guard provided the only lasting memories in a forgettable NCAA East Regional semifinal Thursday at First Union Center, carrying top- seeded Duke past fourth-seeded UCLA 76-63 and into a Saturday final against Southern California. Williams scored 22 of Duke's first 26 points in the second half, including 19 straight. His binge came after UCLA (23-9) drew within 40-37 and helped extend the Blue Devils' lead to 55-43. When someone other than Williams --Shane Battier --finally scored for Duke, the bucket came off a Williams assist.

Goalkeeper Scott Budnick made four saves, leading the William and Mary soccer team to perhaps its most impressive result of the season to date, a scoreless tie with UCLA Friday night at Old Dominion Soccer Stadium. UCLA (6-0-1), ranked second in Division I, dominated the early moments of the first half but was matched thereafter by the Tribe (5-3-1) in the rain-soaked opener of the MetLife Soccer Classic tournament. Budnick's counterpart, Brad Friedel, played up to his Olympic billing.

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Marked progress but yet another quarterback quandary were the unmistakable takeaways from Virginia's season-opening loss to seventh-ranked UCLA on Saturday. The ACC's worst defense a year ago, the Cavaliers smothered the Bruins, limiting them to one offensive touchdown. They sacked acclaimed Brett Hundley five times and owned third and fourth downs, defending UCLA far better than did Virginia Tech in last season's Sun Bowl. But Henry Coley, Max Valles and company could not overcome three crippling turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble, that the Bruins returned for second-quarter touchdowns in their 28-20 escape.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Forget "best player in the country. " On Saturday, Brett Hundley wasn't even the most productive quarterback on the field. But his defensive teammates provided three second-quarter touchdowns, and UCLA's Heisman Trophy candidate did enough in the second half to help the No. 7 Bruins escape Virginia's upset bid, 28-20. "That's how it should be," said senior linebacker Eric Kendricks, who scored one touchdown, forced a fumble that led to another and recorded a game-high 16 tackles.

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Football lifetimes have passed since Virginia and UCLA agreed to a two-game series that begins Saturday at Scott Stadium and concludes with next season's opener at the Rose Bowl. 'Twas February 2009, and rookie head coach Mike London had just guided Richmond to the Championship Subdivision national title. Jim Mora was succeeding Mike Holmgren as the Seattle Seahawks' big whistle, and Brett Hundley was a sophomore at Chandler High School in Arizona. Moreover, both programs were struggling.

EL PASO, Texas - As college career-ending performances go, Virginia Tech's 42-12 loss Tuesday to No. 17 UCLA in the Sun Bowl was one Logan Thomas will delete from memory long before he begins preparing for the next stage of his career. Of course, UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt's helmet and shoulder pad served to make it hard for Thomas to recall how his day came to an early conclusion. On the other hand, if UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley's college career wraps up with 226 passing yards and 161 rushing yards against Tech, he'll take it. Thomas, who completed 3 of 11 passes for 46 yards and ran for 49 yards, saw his game cut short on a big hit by Zumwalt with 12:13 left in the second quarter and the score tied at 7. Standing on the sideline the rest of the day, Thomas could only watch as Tech (8-5)

EL PASO, Texas - From the sombrero he wore to the practices he ran, Frank Beamer has enjoyed everything about Sun Bowl week. His Virginia Tech team prepared well , embraced locals' endearing hospitality and avoided the myriad trouble lurking in bordering Juarez. "All things indicate that we're going to play a good football game," Beamer said of Tuesday's encounter with UCLA. The Hokies likely will have to be better than good against the Bruins. The defense will have to be typically stout, and then some, while the offense overachieves and special teams survive with a neophyte placekicker.

EL PASO, TEXAS – By the middle of October, UCLA and Virginia Tech were feeling optimistic about where their seasons were headed, but the outlooks changed as the weather turned chilly. UCLA (9-3) opened the season 5-0 and climbed as high as No. 9 in the Associated Press rankings, while Tech (8-4) jumped out to a 6-1 mark and got up to No. 16 in the rankings. Since those impressive beginnings, UCLA finished up 4-3, and Tech dropped three of its last five games. Coming off wins against each of their biggest rivals – UCLA with a 35-14 win at No. 23 Southern California and Tech with a 16-6 win at Virginia – both the Bruins and the Hokies enter the Sun Bowl with renewed hopes.

The burdens of history arise tonight as UCLA and Arkansas compete for college basketball's national championship at the Kingdome. UCLA (30-2) is chasing its first national championship in 20 years. Arkansas (32-6) is attempting to become only the second program in those 20 years to win consecutive titles. Both burdens are heavy. The Bruins, ranked No. 1 in the pre-tournament polls, are constantly reminded of UCLA's storied past, of the 10 national titles won between 1964 and '75. The Razorbacks are constantly compared to last season's juggernaut.

The vacant William and Mary men's tennis coaching position has attracted the attention of a legendary 65-year-old who has guided teams to 592 dual-match victories and taken UCLA to seven national titles. His name is Glenn Bassett, and his record compares with some of the legends in collegiate coaching history, like Knute Rockne, John Wooden and Dean Smith. Bassett's credentials are practically unparalleled in college tennis - or anywhere, for that matter. Besides the seven national titles, his teams have: posted a record of 592-92-2, giving him a winning percentage of .864 that is tops among Division I coaches; won 13 conference crowns (Pac-8 or Pac-10)

EL PASO, TEXAS - Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer gained some mariachi moves and a cool sombrero to wear around Blacksburg, and UCLA coach Jim Mora got to schmooze with a guy he admires, but those weren't the aspirations upon arrival in El Paso. The business portion of the trip comes into play Tuesday when Tech plays No. 17 UCLA (9-3) in the Sun Bowl. Tech could finish in the top 25 and send quarterback Logan Thomas and six other seniors expected to start out on a high note with a victory, while a UCLA win would give it 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2005.

Prior to coach Jim Mora's arrival last season, UCLA had grown accustomed to the view from the bottom half of the Pac 12, finishing with a losing record in four of five seasons before 2012. It hasn't taken Mora long to restore hope in Westwood. "I have a really good thing going," said Mora, who will lead No. 17 UCLA on Dec. 31 when it takes on Virginia Tech (8-4) in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. "The commitment that our administration has shown to football is resounding. I think it gives us a chance to be a national power, and that's what we're after.